Bargaining

Unifor welcomes new members at Select Finishing

Workers at Select Finishing in Wallaceburg, Ont., which provides custom coatings for metals and plastics, including on vehicles, are celebrating being new members at Unifor.

“Every new unit in the Independent Auto Parts Supplier Sector (IPS) is great news,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“One of the best ways for workers to protect and improve their jobs is to form a union, especially those in industries that are feeling the largest threat of Trump’s tariffs. We thank you for choosing us to have your back.”

First Student Bus drivers in Bowmanville, Ont. ratify deal

DURHAM—Members of Unifor Local 4268, who are First Student Bus drivers in Bowmanville, Ontario, have voted 87% in favour of ratifying a new three-year contract from their employer. 

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for helping our members address the key important issues, including making a living wage,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

Engaging discussion at Brink’s Pre-Bargaining Conference

The Unifor Brink’s Pre-Bargaining Conference took place April 28 and 29 at the national office in Toronto, where delegates from Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec discussed proposals from the locals to prepare for negotiations with the armoured car company later this year.

Unifor National President Lana Payne told members with the world rapidly changing, the uncertainty stemming from the ongoing U.S. trade war makes things tougher for workers. But the glue that will keep worker power strong is solidarity and investing in a Made-in-Canada industrial fightback.

Strike begins at Arbutus Club

VANCOUVER—More than 200 unionized workers at Vancouver’s exclusive Arbutus Club have begun job action for fair wages.

“The affordability crisis is front and centre with this labour dispute,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The Arbutus Club caters to the city's wealthiest clientele. Surely it can afford to pay the employees a decent, liveable wage.”  

The club, which charges tens of thousands of dollars in initiation fees, includes high-profile elites such as Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.

Transdev transit workers fight for wage parity as strike enters 11-week mark

DUNCAN, B.C.— Unifor members have rejected Transdev’s latest offer, continuing a strike now in its 11th week. The dispute centers on wage disparities between Transdev workers and other B.C. transit employees, particularly in Victoria and Vancouver.

"Our union will continue to stand strong alongside our transit members to achieve fairness in a region with a rapidly growing cost of living," Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members deserve fair wages that reflect today’s affordability challenges.”

Unifor members organize against bloated executive compensation at BCE AGM

Toronto/Montreal – Unifor members at Bell (BCE.TO) and its subsidiaries are organizing to protest multi-million executive bonuses at the company’s upcoming AGM. 

“Bell can expect our union to be vocal when the executives continue to cut good jobs while rewarding themselves with fat bonuses,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We are asking shareholders to examine the facts: more layoffs, a stunning drop in profits, and lucrative executive bonuses and we are asking they push back and demand better from the company’s C-suite and board of directors.” 

Unifor rallies for striking Transdev workers

Striking Transdev workers rallied outside BC Transit’s headquarters in Victoria on April 15 to send a strong message to the employer: access to washrooms (and reasonable break times to use them) is a fundamental human right.

Unifor members from Locals 114 and 333-BC went on strike on February 8 after Transdev refused to address providing dedicated washroom access to its bus drivers. Transit members, their locals, Unifor leadership and supporters attended the rally.

RailLine - Volume 12, Issue 9

VIA Rail bargaining continues; next dates set for May

Update from the bargaining table:

Council 4000 and Local 100 master bargaining committees met with VIA Rail this week, from April 14 to 17, as part of the ongoing conciliation process.